SS Outline 4.6.25

Topic: The Modern Nation of Israel and the Biblical Israel

Main Question: Is the modern nation-state of Israel the same as biblical Israel?

Current Event: Gaza; Rising global opinions about Israel; Christian Zionism resurging.
Why This Matters: We must discern theological and geopolitical Israel.

I. The Biblical Concept of Israel
A. Israel in the Old Testament

• Genesis 12:1–3 – God's promise to Abraham
• Exodus 19:5–6 – Israel as a "kingdom of priests"
• Deuteronomy 7:6–8 – Israel chosen, not for merit but for love
• 2 Samuel 7:12–16 – The Davidic covenant

Key Point: OT Israel was an ethnic and national people chosen for a redemptive purpose.

B. Israel’s Purpose

• Isaiah 49:6 – To be a light for the nations
• Hosea 1:9 – "You are not my people" (judgment)
• Romans 9:6 – "Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel"

II. The New Testament Fulfillment and Re-Definition
A. The True Seed of Abraham

• Galatians 3:7 – "Those of faith are the sons of Abraham"
• Galatians 3:16 – The promises were to Christ, the true "seed"
• Galatians 3:28–29 – Jew and Gentile are one in Christ

B. Engrafting of the Gentiles

• Romans 11:17–24 – Gentiles grafted into the olive tree of God’s covenant
• Ephesians 2:11–22 – Christ has broken down the dividing wall

Key Point: Church = multi-ethnic, covenantal people of God (Galatians 6:16).

III. What About the Modern State of Israel?
A. Established in 1948 – a geopolitical event, not a redemptive one

• No biblical prophecy requires this event to be fulfilled for the return of Christ
• Romans 11:26 – "All Israel will be saved" is about the elect, not a geopolitical revival
• Hebrews 8:13 – The old covenant has passed away

B. Christian Zionism – A Theological Error

• Confuses ethnicity with election
• Often leads to uncritical political support of modern Israel
• Undermines the sufficiency of Christ by suggesting a dual covenant (contra John 14:6)

Key Point: Modern Israel not biblical Israel. God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ & Church.

IV. Implications for Christian Living

• We pray for peace and justice for all people (1 Timothy 2:1–4)
• We evangelize Jews and Gentiles alike—all must come to Christ (Acts 4:12)
• We do not build theology around CNN headlines—we build it on Scripture
• We remain hopeful—not for revival, but Christ’s consummation (Rev 21:1–4)

V. Questions & Discussion

• What is your understanding of “Israel” in the Bible? 
• Have you heard of “dual covenant” theology? 
• Why does it matter if we identify the Church as the true Israel?

Romans 2:28–29 – For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly... But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit…
Gal 6:16 – And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.